REZSő NYERS’S HANDWRITTEN NOTES ON GORBACHEV’S BRIEFING ON THE MALTA SUMMIT AT THE MEETING OF THE WARSAW PACT LEADERS IN MOSCOW ON 4 DECEMBER

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Unofficial hand-written notes by Rezső Nyers, President of the Hungarian Socialist Party, taken took during a briefing by M. Gorbachev at a Soviet Bloc summit in Moscow on 4 December, just a day after the meeting with President Bush at Malta.

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Conference of the Party and State leaders of the Warsaw Treaty Moscow, December 4, 1989

Gorbachev: [It’s a] Very important period – New era. Let’s continue our cooperation. To keep up other, meritorious contacts. [It] Serves to strengthen our countries. Great responsibility falls on us. We live in stormy times. We should keep our soberness. We should foresee rightly the direction of change. We should give and obtain trustworthy information. Let there be no misunderstandings among us. Let’s not fall behind events. Let our cooperation become more lively and more open. An exchange of views must be planned on the situation of our countries.

[Gorbachev’s] Report on the visit in Italy. Italy is interested in economic-political relations. They [the Italians] have appeared first on the Soviet market, [and they] strongly intend to stay now too. Gorbachev: The visit [to Italy] was very good. Good relations are welcomed by the Italian people, [and] the government wants it too. There are slight differences (differences of military engagements). A new phase of the Helsinki process is needed (Helsinki II). The Italians want to be active participants.

Signing of 20 agreements – Joint research [projects]. Economic effects of disarmament. Fight against narcomania [i.e. drug addiction]. Environmental perils. Strong mutual agreement toward economic cooperation. The Italians support [the convening of a conference] with the participation of leaders of European states in 1990… [unfinished sentence] They [the Italians] press for the cooperation of Mediterranean – Black See countries. [Giulio] Andreotti: Raised the question of the Middle East (especially of Lebanon) very actively.

[Gorbachev:] Meeting with Pope John–Paul II. (sic!) The meeting was substantive. There was some talk of the European and World situation too. The Pope’s views are similar to ours. Gorbachev: This is a huge power, for [there are] 700 million Catholic believers. The Pope supports perestroika. He does not support destabilization. Diplomatic relations will be reestablished! The Pope was invited! He accepted it! The time [of the meeting with the Pope] should be well chosen, [but] not forcefully.[1] The Pope raised the issue of Catholics in the USSR. From the Soviet side: good relations with all churches. If [the Vatican] makes an agreement with the Eastern Orthodox Church, [then] the USSR will not hinder it. We must not make a political question out of this! Harmonizing Politics and Ethics: Let’s support general human values!

Meeting with President Bush. The initiative arose from the President of the USA. [For Gorbachev] It was important to get a confirmation [that] the USA wants continuity!

At the beginning, Bush followed slowing down behavior and tactics toward the USSR, then European… [unfinished sentence]. Two meetings with delegation, two meetings one-on-one. 8 hours net time. Weather: From a battleship to a civilian ship. Calm, good atmosphere, without accusations, meanwhile they [the participants] did not avoid sharp questions. It differed from Reagan’s style! It did not have an instructive character.

Gorbachev: Beginning (Bush):

1) He began with economic questions. [There was]Mostly only grain trade in recent years! Signs of progress. They accepted the lifting of the Jackson–Vanik clause. They don’t oppose any more Soviet participation in international organizations.

2) Military political questions. Constructive. - Strategic arms. A 50% reduction can be worked out by June! Can be signed soon! USA proposition: USSR 6,5 thousand missiles. USA 8,0 [thousand missiles]. To destroy the nuclear weapons at the naval fleet, (along with tactical cruise missiles: USSR position). On the issue of conventional weaponry. In 1990 to sign (Helsinki II.). Gorbachev: To reduce not only weaponry, but the amount of [military] personnel too! The USA did not give a reply. Reduction to the identical level (300 thousand men). USA and USSR on [the same] level? This is not good. West Eur.[ope] (England, France, etc.) would be left out.

Gorbachev: Naval forces settlement is stuck – [This question is still] Open. USSR is surrounded by USA [military] bases! - Question of Chemical Weapons [CW]. Plan about 80% liquidation of CWs, if the USA stopped developing “binary weapons.” From the USA side, they stick to 2% of CWs! This is not abolition on a global scale. USSR ready to attend the Ottawa conf.[erence]: on Open Sky conf. Let’s make it wider: sea, etc.) To deal with it intensively at the level of the Foreign Min.[isters]! Agreement: To keep the next summit in the 2nd half of June 1990!

3) Central America question: Nicaragua. ([There are] More parties [there] than in the USA.) Cuba helps the export of rev.[olution] with weapons. Much distrust by the USA toward these two countries. Gorbachev: Nic.[aragua] is not involved in the transport of airplanes (weapons) to S. [El] Salvador. Bush: USA does participate.

4) Ecological problem: Bush: [There are] Many problems, numerous reasons to worry – there will be a White House plan [unfinished sentence].

Gorbachev: 5) European situation: Bush was forced by the opinion of the people. The Soviets raised: - The post-war period [has been about] the protection of peace, but it has had a big price! Arming did not work! [The strategy of] Confrontational policy has suffered a defeat in Europe! In the USA there are those who think the Cold War policy has worked! Unification of Europe based on western values? [It was] Bush’s idea, but [there was] sharp Soviet counter-opinion. Gorbachev’s warning to Bush: Does he want to destroy the USSR? United States of Europe? Both declared support for the Helsinki process! Agreement: To orient military blocks on political questions!

[On the] Question of the GDR [German Democratic Republic]: (Gorbachev: borders are inviolable. Two German states. The USA: Agrees, takes German sentiments into account, but it must not be forced.

Gorbachev: Opposes [a German] confederation! It would disrupt the blocks! (Joint foreign policy, defense, finance.) The idea was thrown in by Kohl for election purposes!

The WT [Warsaw Treaty] supports the defense doctrine from now on too! [The] NATO’s strategy [has been] so far: On the 5th day counterattack with nuclear weapons! In reality this is not a defense doctrine.

They debated about the coup in the Philippines.

Regional conflicts:

1) Afghanistan! USSR urges mutual efforts. Bush: Lost their interest. Was wrong about Najibullah’s regime. USSR: (Joint) international conference in favor of a coalition government.

Free elections.

2) Middle East: They rated the role of the USSR as constructive. USA’s role is constructive too. [Yasser] Arafat’s too! There are difficulties with Israel. (Bush was complaining.) [Giulio] Andreotti: Both sides have given many gifts to Israel! To demand compensation for them!

In total: Greater understanding toward Eastern Europe from the side of the USA! Bush was interested in the settlement of the Baltic question! He asked for a peaceful settlement! Gorbachev: We should work with uniform rules regarding the question of the Karabah region, the Baltics, Ulster, and Quebec!

Gorbachev: Our conceptions are responsible. Blocks have to be eliminated, but not unilaterally. This has been recommended by the West too. Step by step further! Invite [him] for January 9! The two German states should establish a contractual relationship!

Two [German] states – not a confederation. – Cooperation gaining strength.

Condemnation of Czechoslovakian intervention (1968).

At the end of the conference: Joint declaration on the wrongfulness of the 1968 Czechoslovakian intervention!

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Unofficial hand-written notes by Rezső Nyers, President of the Hungarian Socialist Party, taken took during a briefing by M. Gorbachev at a Soviet Bloc summit in Moscow on 4 December, just a day after the meeting with President Bush at Malta.

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